(map) Vatican City
Any catholic in the world would expect an encounter with the Pope to be nothing less than spiritual. So when hundreds of people gather to do just that, you would think the atmosphere would be peaceful, reflective and even emotional. The scene is anything but.
Since it is a free event those who do not have tickets are trying to shove their way through to the seated areas. (Notice the annoyed expression on the Swiss guard as he’s reprimanding the two ladies in photo 1. Suggested caption: “AARGhh… NEIN! You’re zupposed to be on zat side of ze barrier, you fools!”). And those who do have tickets are scouring the premises to steal more seats to stand on for a glimpse of the man himself. 
Don’t get the wrong impression. It is without a doubt worth the experience, certainly to witness the irony of it all as well. Get there early and have your ticket ahead of time. Plop yourself into a seat and remember…
..the elderly Italians sitting next to you are not quite as sweet as they seem.
Contributed by Courtney Downing. Many thanks!
February 16th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Wait a minute Courtney – why should it just be the Italians who are not as sweet as they seem? A large part of that crowd are non-Italian and arrive at the Vatican in huge tourist groups with only one chance to see the Pope, and are rather taken aback to discover that it is such a mob. Some regard seeing the Pope as if he were the Sistine Chapel, the Uffizi or other must-see Italian experiences. In other words, a secular, not a religious experience.
February 16th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I agree with Courtney, the elderly Italians (who’ve probably waited their whole lives to see il Papa), are a fiesty bunch! That said, it’s definitely a secular experience. Not only did I attend one of these “audiences” a number of years ago, but I also worked at a “welcome house” run by Italian friends. This “house” was, in fact, a deconsecrted, converted seminary which accommodate large groups of tourists (often American, Mexican or South American) who spent their hard-earned money to visit the famous sites of the church to which they belonged. As obeserved by Diana, above, the very public “audience” reminds one more of a secular occasion. I felt as though I was part of a crowd at a sports match or music concert, eager to get a snap of their favourite player/performer, more than anything else, and wondered how the guests at the welcome house felt about their experience.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I could not DISAGREE more. For those who are Roman Catholic, to see the Holy Father is a heart warming experience which you can never forget. The first time for me was inspirational and gave me a peaceful feeling. The amount of people at the Wednesday audiences says it all. Who else would draw so many? Yes there are those who may push, those who do not understand where to go and those who want a front row seat without a ticket. But the problem may very well be the non-Italians (even elderly non-Italians)who come to view the Pope as a tourist attraction, the non-Catholics who think they are at a soccer match or those who fail to realize that they are at a religious event and that they are surrounded by human beings, who are all God’s children, no matter what their religious beliefs.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
I have to agree. It isn’t only elderly Italians. Watch out for the nuns, especially at the Christmas eve mass. The ones who pushed their way in line to get up front were on a mission (pardon the pun). They were there to see their own famous star and nothing or no one was going to stop them.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Perché ci si aspetta la pace da coloro che promuovono le guerre?
February 16th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Wow, nobody commented upon the fact that these are catholics, not Catholics. The former are one, universal; the latter are Roman Catholics, members of that faith.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Intersting what you wrote, I wonder if you are Italian, Courtney Downing or could you be Irish? Negativity does not inspire anything good and that is what I come away with in reading your article. Sad!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Just to add…. I always use a capital “C” for Catholic, no matter what. It is my preference. I guess just like you woul use capitals for Protestant, Jewish and Muslim.
This is a beautiful notebook. It is a shame that Mario and Courtney had to find so much negativity with it!
Again, the Vatican (Rome) is the seat of The Roman Catholic Church for over 2,000 years. There are those who go to pray and honor their faith, and those who go to see it as a tourist attraction. Please respect it,and the people of Italy, no matter why you were there.
February 16th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Negativity indeed!!!!!Perhaps Courtney,(with huge chips on her shoulders)should remove herself from Italian soil, and Italian- notebook. Her perspective lacks sophistication. I have visited the Vatican several times in my life, as a child with my parents,in maturity with friends.I remember very well that as we moved about the majority of the languages heard spoken were foreign. I am very dissapointed in Italian-notebook for allowing such an offensive article.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:50 am
I’ve been to the outdoor audiences to see the Pope(s) several times over the years and have experienced great civility amoungst all be they foreigners or Italians… Did I miss something?
February 19th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Bravo, to all of you who took issue with Courtney. I was taken aback with her comments, and was quite disturbed with the insinuations. I have been keeping many of the ItalianNotebook.com postings in a file because they are usually so inspiring and wonderful to read — this one, however, quickly went into my Delete Box.
Viva la Papa!